Method of packaging an absorbent article and attaching the absorbent article to an undergarment

ABSTRACT

A method of individually packaging an absorbent article and attaching the absorbent article to an undergarment including the steps of providing a tri-folded absorbent article having two end portions and an intermediate portion, providing a pouch containing the tri-folded absorbent article, opening the pouch to thereby expose a garment-facing surface of the intermediate portion of the absorbent article prior to exposing a garment facing surface of either of the end portions of the absorbent article.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is a divisional application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 12/607,113, filed Oct. 28, 2009, which is acontinuation-in-part application of U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/512,147, filed Jul. 30, 2009.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to individually packaged disposableabsorbent articles, and in particular to a method of individuallypackaging an absorbent article and attaching the absorbent article to anundergarment.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Individually packaged disposable absorbent articles are well known inthe art. For example, feminine sanitary napkins are often sold in such aconfiguration. Commercially available sanitary napkins are commonlyfolded in three overlapping sections along the length of the napkin(“tri-folded”) and such tri-folded napkin is arranged in a sealed pouchto thereby maintain the napkin sanitary prior to use. Sanitary napkinsof this type conventionally include an adhesive arranged on agarment-facing side of the napkin (“garment attachment adhesive”) toenable the user to attach the napkin to an undergarment during use.Prior to use, the garment attachment adhesive is covered by a removablerelease paper that is intended to protect the adhesive and prevent thegarment attachment adhesive from adhering to the pouch prior to use.Alternatively, the release paper may by omitted, and the interiorsurface of the pouch may include a non-stick coating (e.g. silicone) toprevent the garment attachment adhesive from adhering to the pouch. Whenready for use, a user removes the napkin from the pouch, unfolds thenapkin, removes the release paper (if such paper is employed) andattaches the napkin to the undergarment.

The inventors of the present invention have discovered that a problemwith the above described configuration is that the user must completelyremove the napkin from the pouch, and remove the release paper if suchrelease paper is present, prior to attaching the napkin to theundergarment. The above described process can be cumbersome and maycause the user to inadvertently attach the napkin at the wrong locationin the undergarment and/or contaminate the garment attachment adhesivebefore the user attaches the napkin to the undergarment.

In view of the foregoing, the inventors have disclosed herein animproved method of individually packaging an absorbent article andmethod for attaching such absorbent article to an undergarment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the above, the present invention provides, according to afirst aspect of the invention, a method of individually packaging anabsorbent article and attaching the absorbent article to an undergarmentincluding the steps of providing a tri-folded absorbent articleincluding a garment-facing surface having a garment attachment adhesive,a body-facing surface, a main body, a pair of wings extending outwardlyrelative to the main body, the garment-facing surface of each winghaving adhesive thereon for attaching the wings to an undergarmentduring use, at least one removable release strip arranged over theadhesive prior to use of the article, a first fold line, a second foldline, a first end portion, a second end portion, and an intermediateportion arranged between the first end portion and the second endportions, the first end portion being separated from the intermediateportion by the first fold line, the second end portion being separatedfrom the intermediate portion by the second fold line, and theintermediate portion being located between the first fold line and thesecond fold line, providing a pouch for containing the tri-foldedabsorbent article, the pouch formed from a sheet material having a firstterminal edge and a second terminal edge, the sheet material coupled tothe release strip, opening the pouch along the first terminal edge ofthe sheet material and lifting the sheet material to expose agarment-facing surface of the intermediate portion of the article priorto exposing the garment-facing surface of the first end portion and thegarment-facing surface of the second end portion, and simultaneouslyremoving the release strip while opening the pouch.

The present invention provides, according to a second aspect of theinvention, a method of individually packaging an absorbent article andattaching the absorbent article to an undergarment including the stepsof providing a tri-folded absorbent article including a garment-facingsurface, a body-facing surface, a main body, a pair of wings extendingoutwardly relative to the main body, the garment-facing surface of eachwing having adhesive thereon for attaching the wings to an undergarmentduring use, at least one removable release strip arranged over theadhesive prior to use of the article, a first fold line, a second foldline, a first end portion, a second end portion, and an intermediateportion arranged between the first end portion and the second endportions, the first end portion being separated from the intermediateportion by the first fold line, the second end portion being separatedfrom the intermediate portion by the second fold line, and theintermediate portion being located between the first fold line and thesecond fold line, providing a pouch for containing the tri-foldedabsorbent article, the pouch formed from a sheet material having a firstterminal edge, a second terminal edge and a line of weakness arrangedbetween the first terminal edge and the second terminal edge, openingthe pouch along the line of weakness and lifting the sheet material toexpose a garment-facing surface of the intermediate portion of thearticle prior to exposing the garment-facing surface of the first endportion and the garment-facing surface of the second end portion, andsimultaneously removing the release strip while opening the pouch.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of an individually packaged absorbentarticle assembly according to a first embodiment of the presentinvention showing the exterior surface of the pouch that forms part ofthe assembly;

FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of the individually packagedabsorbent article assembly shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a partially exploded view of the of the absorbent articleassembly shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 revealing the first and second sheets ofmaterial that define the pouch and the absorbent article containedwithin such pouch;

FIGS. 4-11 depict the manner in which the absorbent article is removedfrom the pouch and applied to an undergarment;

FIG. 12 is a bottom perspective view of an individually packagedabsorbent article assembly according to a second embodiment of thepresent invention showing the exterior surface of the pouch that formspart of the assembly;

FIG. 13 is a detailed top perspective view of a portion of theindividually packaged absorbent article assembly shown in FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is detailed view of a portion of the individually packagedabsorbent article assembly shown in FIG. 13 depicting the manner inwhich pouch is opened to obtain access to the absorbent article;

FIG. 15 is a partially exploded view of the of the absorbent articleassembly shown in FIG. 12 revealing the sheet of material that forms thepouch and the absorbent article contained within such pouch;

FIG. 16 is a top perspective view of an individually packaged absorbentarticle assembly according to a third embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 17 is a sectional view of the individually packaged absorbentarticle assembly shown in FIG. 16 taken along line 17-17 thereof;

FIG. 18 is a partially exploded view of the of the absorbent articleassembly shown in FIGS. 16 and 17 revealing the first and second sheetsof material that define the pouch and the absorbent contained withinsuch pouch;

FIGS. 19-26 depict the manner in which the absorbent article is removedfrom the pouch and applied to an undergarment;

FIG. 27 is a top perspective view of an individually packaged absorbentarticle assembly according to a fourth embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 28 is a sectional view of the assembly shown in FIG. 27 taken alongline 28-28 thereof; and

FIG. 29 is a partially exploded view of the absorbent article assemblyshown in FIG. 27 revealing the sheet of material that forms the pouchand the absorbent article contained within such pouch.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings there is shown an individually packageddisposable absorbent article assembly embodying the teachings of thepresent invention. As used herein “disposable absorbent articles”include articles such as sanitary napkins, pantiliners, absorbentproducts for incontinence, and other disposable absorbent articles wornclose to a wearer's body. Although the invention will be describedherein with reference to a sanitary napkin, the invention may beutilized with other disposable sanitary absorbent articles such asabsorbent products for incontinence, diapers, pantiliners and the like.

An individually packaged absorbent article assembly 10 according to afirst embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 1-3. Theindividually packaged absorbent article assembly 10 generally includes asanitary napkin 12 and a pouch 14.

Prior to removal from the pouch 14, the sanitary napkin 12 is tri-foldedsuch that three portions of the napkin 12 are defined. Specifically,referring to FIG. 3, the napkin 12 in its folded state prior to useincludes a first end portion 16, a second end portion 18, and anintermediate portion 20 arranged between the end portions 16 and 18. Thefirst end portion 16 is separated from the intermediate portion 20 byfold line 19 and the second end portion 18 is separated from theintermediate portion 20 by fold line 21. The napkin 12 further includesa body-facing surface 22 and a garment-facing surface 24. The terms“body-facing” and “garment-facing” as used herein are intended toindicate the final orientation of the napkin after the napkin has beenattached to an undergarment by the user.

As shown in FIG. 3, the first end portion 16 is folded toward thebody-facing surface 22 and then the second end portion 18 is folded ontop of and in overlapping relationship to the first end portion 16. Thenapkin 12 also includes a garment attachment adhesive 26 that is appliedto the garment-facing surface 24 of the napkin that functions to attachthe napkin 12 to an undergarment during use.

In the specific embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 1-3, thepouch 14 is defined by two lengths of a sheet material 29 that areattached to one another to form the final pouch 14. However, the pouch14 could alternatively be formed from a single length of the sheetmaterial 29. The sheet material 29 may be a plastic film sheet or apaper sheet material. The paper or plastic film sheet is coated on itsinwards facing surface thereof with a coating of silicone polymer toprevent the adhesive 26 on the garment-facing surface 24 of the napkin12 from adhering to the pouch 14. Other non-stick coatings may beemployed provided that they effectively prevent the napkin 12 fromadhering to the pouch 14.

In the specific embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 1-3, thepouch is formed by a first length of sheet material 30 and a secondlength of sheet material 31, as best seen in FIG. 3. The first length ofmaterial 30 defines a first end section 32 of the sheet material 29 andthe second length of material 31 defines a second end section 34 of thesheet material 29. The first length of material 30 further defines anintermediate section 36 of the sheet material 29 arranged between theend sections 32 and 34. The first length of material 30 includes a firstterminal transverse edge 37 and a second terminal transverse edge 39.The second length of material 31 includes a first terminal transverseedge 47 and a second terminal transverse edge 49.

As shown in FIG. 3 the first length of material 30 partially overlapsthe second length of material 31 adjacent terminal edges 39 and 47 andthe two lengths of material are permanently secured to one another by astrip of adhesive or the like. Thus, in the final pouch configurationthe sheet material 29 has two terminal edges, i.e. terminal edges 37 and49.

As shown in FIG. 3, the first end section 32 of the sheet material 29extends over and corresponds in location to the intermediate portion 20of the napkin 12. The intermediate section 36 of the sheet material 29extends over and corresponds in location to the second end portion 18 ofthe napkin 12. The second end section 34 of the sheet material 29extends over and corresponds in location to the first end portion 16 ofthe napkin 12.

It is noted that in the final pouch 14 configuration the first terminaledge 37 of the first length of material 30 is substantially aligned withthe fold line 19 of the napkin 12 that separates the intermediateportion 20 of the napkin 12 from the first end portion 16 of the napkin12.

Along the first terminal edge 37, the first length of material 30 mayoptionally be provided with a tab 41. The tab 41 may be formed from thefirst length of material 30 or may constitute a separate piece ofmaterial permanently attached to the first length of material 30. Asshow in FIG. 2, the tab 41 overlaps the end section 34 of the pouch 14and is secured to the external surface of the end section 34 by adhesivearranged on a bottom surface 43 of the tab 41. The adhesive provided onthe bottom surface 43 of the tab 41 should be selected so as to enable auser to selectively open the pouch 14 by pulling on the tab 41, as willbe described herein in greater detail below.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the pouch 14 also includes side seams 40defined by embossments running along and defining opposite longitudinaledge zones of the pouch. The side seams 40 function to seal theoverlapping portions of the sheet material 29 and thereby form a sealedenclosure for the napkin 12. The embossments may be formed by anysuitable known means to provide such embossments, such as heatedembossing rolls or the like. Alternatively, in lieu of embossments,other means such as glue or tape may be used to seal the pouch 14.

The manner of deploying the napkin 12 from the pouch 14, and attachmentof the napkin 12 to an undergarment 60 of a user, will now be describedwith reference to FIGS. 4-11. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 the user firstgrasps the tab 41 and pulls the tab 41 to separate the same from theexternal surface of the end section 34 of the pouch 14. As the userpulls the tab 41 and lifts the first end section 32 of the pouch 14, theembossments defining the side seams 40 separate thereby exposing theintermediate portion 20 of the napkin 12, and more specifically exposingthe garment-facing surface 24 of the intermediate portion 20.Thereafter, as shown FIG. 6, the user may then attach the intermediateportion 20 of the napkin 12 to the undergarment 60 with thegarment-facing surface 24 of the napkin 12 in abutting relationship tothe undergarment 60.

As the user continues to pull on the tab 41, and/or the portion of thepouch 14 now separated from the napkin 12, the second end portion 18 ofthe napkin is released from the pouch 14 as shown in FIG. 7. Thereafter,the user may then attach the second end portion 18 of the napkin to theundergarment 60 as shown in FIG. 8. As the user continues to pull on thetab 41, and/or the portion of the pouch 14 now separated from the napkin12, the first end portion 16 of the napkin 12 is released from the pouchas shown in FIG. 9. Thereafter, the user may then attach the first endportion 16 of the napkin 12 to the undergarment 60 as shown in FIG. 10.

As best seen in FIG. 11, the napkin 12 may optionally be provided withwings 50 and 52 that extend out from the main body 53 of the napkin 12and are adapted to be folded over the edges of the undergarment 60 andattached to the crotch portion of the undergarment 60 by means ofadhesive provided on the garment-facing surface of the wings 50 and 52.Prior to deployment of the wings 50 and 52 the wings 50 and 52 may befolded toward the body-facing surface 22 of the napkin 12 and theadhesive on the wings 50, 52 may be covered by a removable release strip54. The release strip 54 may be formed from any suitable conventionalrelease paper material, or other suitable material, known to those ofskill in the art. When the user is ready to attach the wings 50 and 52to the undergarment the release strip 54 may be removed and the wings 50and 52 folded around the edges of the undergarment 60 and attached tothe crotch portion of the undergarment 60, as shown in FIG. 11.

It is noted that that the individually packaged absorbent articleassembly 10 as described above enables the intermediate portion 20 ofthe napkin, and particularly the garment-facing surface 24 thereof, tobe first exposed prior to exposing the garment-facing surfaces of theother portions of the napkin 12. This enables the user to easily attachthe intermediate portion 20 of the napkin to the undergarment before theother portions of the napkin are deployed from the pouch 14. Thissignificantly simplifies the attachment process and represents asignificant improvement over prior art assemblies.

A second embodiment of an individually packaged absorbent articleassembly 100 according to the present invention will now be describedwith reference to FIGS. 12-15. In those instances where the same orsimilar structural elements are present in the second embodiment 100 ofthe invention as those described above with regard to the firstembodiment 10, the same or similar reference numerals will be employed.The individually packaged absorbent article assembly 100 generallyincludes a sanitary napkin 12 and a pouch 14.

In the specific embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 12-15, thepouch 14 is defined by a single piece of sheet material 29, as best seenin FIG. 15. The sheet material may be a plastic film sheet or a papersheet material. The sheet material 29 includes a first end section 132,a second end section 134, and an intermediate section 136 arrangedbetween the end sections 132 and 134.

In the second embodiment of the invention 100, the intermediate section136 of the sheet material 29 extends over and corresponds in location tothe intermediate portion 20 of the napkin 12. The second end section 134of the sheet material 29 extends over and corresponds in location to thesecond end portion 18 of the napkin 12. The first end section 132 of thesheet material 29 extends over and corresponds in location to the firstend portion 16 of the napkin 12. The sheet material 29 includes a firstterminal edge 137 and a second terminal edge 149. The sheet material 29is also provided with a score line or other line of weakness 180arranged between the first terminal edge 137 and the second terminaledge 149.

It is noted that in the final pouch 14 configuration the score line 180is substantially aligned with the fold line 19 of the napkin 12 thatseparates the intermediate portion 20 of the napkin 12 from the firstend portion 16 of the napkin 12. The pouch 14 may optionally be providedwith a tab 41 that is formed from a separate piece of material that ispermanently attached to the pouch 14 in a location adjacent the scoreline 180. As shown in FIG. 14, when a user desires to open the pouch 14the user grasps the tab 41 and pulls the tab in an upward directioncausing the pouch 14 to open along the score line 180, i.e. by forming a“free end” 182 of the sheet material 29 along the score line 180.

As shown in FIG. 12, the side seams of the pouch 14 are designated bythe numeral 40 and are defined by embossments running along and definingopposite longitudinal edge zones of the pouch. The side seams 40function to seal the overlapping portions of the sheet material 29. Asshown in FIG. 15, the second end section 134 of the sheet materialpartially overlaps the first end section 132 of the sheet materialadjacent terminal edges 149 and 137 and the two ends of the sheetmaterial 29 are permanently secured to one another by a strip ofadhesive or the like. In this manner, the pouch 14 provides a sealedenclosure for the tri-folded napkin 12 prior to use of the napkin 12.

The manner of deploying the napkin 12 from the pouch 14 in theindividually packaged absorbent article assembly 100 is substantiallyidentically to the manner employed in the first embodiment of theinvention 10 described above with reference to FIGS. 4-11. However, inthe absorbent article assembly 100 the user initiates opening the pouch14 by opening the pouch along the score line 180. Specifically, the usergrasps the tab 41 and pulls in an upward direction to thereby open thepouch 14 along the score line 180.

It is noted that that the individually packaged absorbent articleassembly 100 as described above, like the first embodiment of theinvention 10, enables the intermediate portion 20 of the napkin, and inparticularly the garment-facing surface 24 thereof, to be first deployedprior to the deployment of the other portions of the napkin 12. Thisenables the user to easily attach the intermediate portion 20 of thenapkin to the undergarment before the other portions of the napkin aredeployed from the pouch 14. This significantly simplifies the attachmentprocess and represents a significant improvement over prior artassemblies.

A third embodiment of an individually packaged absorbent articleassembly 200 according to the present invention will now be describedwith reference to FIGS. 16-28. In those instances where the same orsimilar structural elements are present in the third embodiment 200 ofthe invention as those described above with regard to the firstembodiment 10, the same or similar reference numerals will be employed.

The individually packaged absorbent article assembly 200 generallyincludes a sanitary napkin 12 and a pouch 14. Prior to removal from thepouch 14, the sanitary napkin 12 is tri-folded such that three portionsof the napkin 12 are defined. Specifically, referring to FIGS. 17-18,the napkin 12 in its folded state prior to use includes a first endportion 16, a second end portion 18, and an intermediate portion 20arranged between the end portions 16 and 18. As shown in FIG. 18, thefirst end portion 16 is separated from the intermediate portion 20 byfold line 19 and the second end portion 18 is separated from theintermediate portion 20 by fold line 21. The napkin 12 further includesa body-facing surface 22 and a garment-facing surface 24.

As shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, the first end portion 16 is folded towardthe body-facing surface 22 and then the second end portion 18 is foldedon top of and in overlapping relationship to the first end portion 16.The napkin 12 also includes a garment attachment adhesive 26 that isapplied to the garment-facing surface 24 of the napkin that functions toattach the napkin 12 to an undergarment during use.

In specific embodiment of the invention 200, as best seen in FIGS. 25and 26, the napkin 12 is provided with wings 50 and 52 that extend outfrom the main body 53 of the napkin 12. The wings 50, 52 are adapted tobe folded over the edges of the undergarment 60 and attached to thecrotch portion of the undergarment 60 by means of adhesive 55 providedon the garment-facing surface of the wings 50 and 52. Prior todeployment of the wings 50 and 52 the wings 50 and 52 may be foldedtoward the body-facing surface 22 of the napkin 12 and the adhesive onthe wings 50 and 52 may be covered by a release strip 54.

In the specific embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 16-28, thepouch 14 is defined by two lengths of a sheet material 29 that areattached to one another to form the final pouch 14, as best seen in FIG.18. The sheet material 29 may be a plastic film sheet or a paper sheetmaterial. The paper or plastic film sheet is coated on its inwardsfacing surface thereof with a coating of silicone polymer to prevent theadhesive 26 on the garment-facing surface of the napkin 12 from adheringto the pouch 14. Other non-stick coatings may be employed provided thatthey effectively prevent the napkin 12 from adhering to the pouch 14.

In the specific embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 16-28, thepouch is formed by a first length of sheet material 30 and a secondlength of sheet material 31, as best seen in FIG. 18. The first lengthof material 30 defines a first end section 32 of the sheet material 29and the second length of material 31 defines a second end section 34 ofthe sheet material 29. The first length of material 30 further definesan intermediate section 36 of the sheet material 29 arranged between theend sections 32 and 34. The first length of material 30 includes a firstterminal transverse edge 37 and a second terminal transverse edge 39.The second length of material 31 includes a first terminal transverseedge 47 and a second terminal transverse edge 49.

As shown in FIG. 17, the second length of material 31 includes a portion51 adjacent the first terminal transverse edge 47 that is coupled to therelease strip 54 that covers the adhesive on the wings 50 and 52. Thesecond length of material 31 is coupled to the release strip 54 by anysuitable means such as adhesive or the like. As will be described ingreater detail below, this configuration permits the simultaneouslyopening of the pouch 14 and removal of the release strip 54 by a user.The second terminal transverse edge 49 of the second length of material31 is coupled to the first length of material 30, by adhesive or thelike, at a location between the first terminal transverse edge 37 andthe second terminal transverse edge 39.

In the embodiment of the present invention 200, as shown in FIG. 18, thefirst length of material 30 overlaps the second length of material 31and the two lengths of material are permanently secured to one anotherby a strip of adhesive or the like. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 17and 18, the first length of material 30 is secured to the second lengthof material 31 by securing the second transverse edge 39 of the firstlength of material 30 to the second length of material 31 at a locationlocated between the first terminal transverse edge 47 and the secondterminal transverse edge 49 of the second length of material 31.

As shown in FIG. 18, the first end section 32 of the sheet material 29extends over and corresponds in location to the intermediate portion 20of the napkin 12. The intermediate section 36 of the sheet material 29extends over and corresponds in location to the second end portion 18 ofthe napkin 12. In the specific embodiment 200 shown in FIGS. 16-26, theintermediate section 36 also extends over and overlaps the second endsection 34, as best seen in FIG. 17. The second end section 34 extendsover and corresponds in location to the first end portion 16 of thenapkin 12.

It is noted that in the final pouch 14 configuration the first terminaledge 37 of the first length of material 30 is substantially aligned withthe fold line 19 of the napkin 12 that separates the intermediateportion 20 of the napkin 12 from the first end portion 16 of the napkin12.

Along the first terminal edge 37, the first length of material 30 mayoptionally be provided with a tab 41, as best seen in FIG. 18. The tab41 may be formed from the first length of material 30 or may constitutea separate piece of material permanently attached to the first length ofmaterial 30. As shown in FIG. 17, the tab 41 overlaps the end section 34of the pouch 14 and is secured to the external surface of the endsection 34 by adhesive arranged on a bottom surface 43 of the tab 41.The adhesive provided on the bottom surface 43 of the tab 41 should beselected so as to enable a user to selectively open the pouch 14 bypulling on the tab 41, as will be described herein in greater detailbelow.

As shown in FIG. 16, the pouch 14 also includes side seams 40 defined byembossments running along and defining opposite longitudinal edge zonesof the pouch. The side seams 40 function to seal the overlappingportions of the sheet material 29 and thereby form a sealed enclosurefor the napkin 12. The embossments may be formed by any suitable knownmeans to provide such embossments, such as heated embossing rolls or thelike. Alternatively, in lieu of embossments, other means such as glue ortape may be used to seal the pouch.

The manner of deploying the napkin 12 from the pouch 14, and attachmentof the napkin to an undergarment 60 of a user, will now be describedwith reference to FIGS. 19-26. As shown in FIGS. 19 and 20 the userfirst grasps the tab 41 and pulls the tab 41 to separate the same fromthe external surface of the end section 34 of the pouch 14. As the userpulls the tab 41 and lifts the first end section 32 of the pouch 14, theembossments defining the side seams 40 separate thereby exposing theintermediate portion 20 of the napkin 12, and more specifically exposingthe garment-facing surface 24 of the intermediate portion 20.Thereafter, as shown FIG. 21, the user may then attach the intermediateportion 20 of the napkin 12 to the undergarment 60 with thegarment-facing surface 24 of the napkin 12 in abutting relationship tothe undergarment 60.

As the user continues to pull on the tab 41, and/or the portion of thepouch 14 now separated from the napkin 12, the second end portion 18 ofthe napkin is released from the pouch 14 as shown in FIG. 22.Thereafter, the user may then attach the second end portion 18 of thenapkin to the undergarment 60 as shown in FIG. 23. As the user continuesto pull on the tab 41, and/or the portion of the pouch 14 now separatedfrom the napkin 12, the end section 34 of the pouch 14 secured to therelease strip 54 causes the release strip 54 to be drawn away from thewings 50 and 52 of the napkin 12, as best seen in FIG. 24. As therelease strip 54 is drawn away from the wings 50 and 52 the adhesive 55on the garment facing surface of the wings 50 and 52 is exposed.

As the user continues to pull on the tab 41, and/or the portion of thepouch 14 now separated from the napkin 12, the release strip 54 is fullyremoved from the wings 50 and 52 and the first end portion 16 of thenapkin 12 is released from the pouch as shown in FIG. 25. Thereafter,the user may attach the first end portion 16 of the napkin 12 to theundergarment 60 as shown in FIG. 25. As shown in FIG. 26, the user maythen wrap the wings 50 and 52 around the edges of the undergarment 60and attach the wings 50 and 52 to the undergarment 60 by means of theadhesive 55.

It is noted that that the individually packaged absorbent articleassembly 200 as described above enables the intermediate portion 20 ofthe napkin, and particularly the garment-facing surface 24 thereof, tobe first exposed prior to exposing the garment-facing surfaces of theother portions of the napkin 12. This enables the user to easily attachthe intermediate portion 20 of the napkin to the undergarment before theother portions of the napkin are deployed from the pouch 14. Inaddition, the embodiment of the invention 200 described above alsopermits the simultaneous removal of the release strip 54 from the wings50 and 52 as the pouch 14 is opened. This significantly simplifies theattachment process and represents a significant improvement over priorart assemblies.

A fourth embodiment of an individually packaged absorbent articleassembly 300 according to the present invention will now be describedwith reference to FIGS. 27-29. In those instances where the same orsimilar structural elements are present in the fourth embodiment of theinvention as those described above with regard to the second embodiment100, the same or similar reference numerals will be employed.

The individually packaged absorbent article assembly 300 is similar tothe third embodiment 200 described above, however the pouch 14 in theabsorbent article assembly 300 is defined by a single piece of sheetmaterial 29, as best seen in FIG. 29. The sheet material may be aplastic film sheet or a paper sheet material. The sheet material 29includes a first end section 132, a second end section 134, and anintermediate section 136 arranged between the end sections 132 and 134,as best seen in FIG. 29.

In the fourth embodiment of the invention 300, the intermediate section136 of the sheet material 29 extends over and corresponds in location tothe intermediate portion 20 of the napkin 12. The second end section 134of the sheet material 29 extends over and corresponds in location to thesecond end portion 18 of the napkin 12. The second end section 134 alsoextends over and overlaps the first end section 132, as best seen inFIG. 28. The first end section 132 extends over and corresponds inlocation to the first end portion 16 of the napkin 12.

As best seen in FIG. 29, the sheet material 29 includes a first terminaledge 137 and a second terminal edge 149. As shown in FIG. 28, the secondterminal edge 149 is coupled to the first end section 132, by adhesiveor like, at a location between the first terminal edge 137 and thesecond terminal edge 149.

As shown in FIG. 28, the sheet material 29 includes a portion 151adjacent the first terminal edge 137 that is coupled to the releasestrip 54 that covers the adhesive on the wings 50 and 52. The portion151, which is located in the first end section 132 of the sheet material29, is coupled to the release strip 54 by any suitable means such asadhesive or the like. This configuration permits the simultaneousopening of the pouch 14 and the removal of the release strip 54 by auser.

As best seen in FIG. 29, the sheet material 29 is also provided with ascore line or other line of weakness 180 arranged between the firstterminal edge 137 and the second terminal edge 149. It is noted that inthe final pouch 14 configuration the score line 180 is substantiallyaligned with the fold line 19 of the napkin 12 that separates theintermediate portion 20 of the napkin 12 from the first end portion 16of the napkin 12. The pouch 14 may optionally be provided with a tab 41that is formed from a separate piece of material and is permanentlyattached to the pouch in a location adjacent the score line 180. When auser desires to open the pouch 14 the user grasps the tab 41 and pullsthe tab in an upward direction causing the pouch 14 to open along thescore line 180.

As shown in FIG. 27, the side seams of the pouch 14 are designated bythe numeral 40 and are defined by embossments running along and definingopposite longitudinal edge zones of the pouch. The side seams 40function to seal the overlapping portions of the sheet material 29.

As shown in FIG. 28, the second end section 134 of the sheet materialoverlaps the first end section 132 of the sheet material and the twoends of the sheet material 29 are permanently secured to one another bya strip of adhesive or the like. In this manner, the pouch 14 provides asealed enclosure for the tri-folded napkin 12 prior to use of the napkin12.

The manner of deploying the napkin 12 from the pouch 14 in theindividually packaged absorbent article assembly 100 is substantiallyidentically to the manner employed in the third embodiment of theinvention 200 described above with reference to FIGS. 19-26. However, inthe absorbent article assembly 300 the user initiates opening the pouch14 by opening the pouch along the score line 180. Specifically, the usergrasps the tab 41 and pulls in an upward direction to thereby open thepouch 14 along the score line 180.

It is noted that that the individually packaged absorbent articleassembly 300 as described enables the intermediate portion 20 of thenapkin, and in particularly the garment-facing surface 24 thereof, to befirst deployed prior to the deployment of the other portions of thenapkin 12. This enables the user to easily attach the intermediateportion 20 of the napkin to the undergarment before the other portionsof the napkin are deployed from the pouch 14. In addition, theembodiment of the invention 300 described above also permits thesimultaneous removal of the release strip 54 from the wings 50 and 52during opening of the pouch 14. This significantly simplifies theattachment process and represents a significant improvement over priorart assemblies.

We claim:
 1. A method of individually packaging an absorbent article andattaching the absorbent article to an undergarment comprising the stepsof: providing a tri-folded absorbent article including a garment-facingsurface, a body-facing surface, a main body, a pair of wings extendingoutwardly relative to the main body, the garment-facing surface of eachwing having adhesive thereon for attaching the wings to an undergarmentduring use, at least one removable release strip arranged over theadhesive prior to use of the article, a first fold line, a second foldline, a first end portion, a second end portion, and an intermediateportion arranged between the first end portion and the second endportions, the first end portion being separated from the intermediateportion by the first fold line, the second end portion being separatedfrom the intermediate portion by the second fold line, and theintermediate portion being located between the first fold line and thesecond fold line; providing a pouch for containing the tri-foldedabsorbent article, the pouch formed from a sheet material having a firstterminal edge, a second terminal edge and a line of weakness arrangedbetween the first terminal edge and the second terminal edge; openingthe pouch along the line of weakness and lifting the sheet material toexpose a garment-facing surface of the intermediate portion of thearticle prior to exposing the garment-facing surface of the first endportion and the garment-facing surface of the second end portion; andsimultaneously removing the release strip while opening the pouch. 2.The method according to claim 13, further comprising: attaching thegarment-facing surface of the intermediate portion to an undergarment.3. The method according to claim 14, further comprising: lifting theportion of the sheet material released from napkin to expose agarment-facing surface of the second end portion of the article prior toexposing the garment-facing surface of the first end portion.
 4. Themethod according to claim 15, further comprising: attaching thegarment-facing surface of the second end portion to the undergarment. 5.The method according to claim 16, further comprising: lifting theportion of the sheet material released from the napkin to expose agarment-facing surface of the first end portion of napkin.
 6. The methodaccording to claim 17, further comprising: attaching the garment-facingsurface of the first end portion to the undergarment.
 7. The methodaccording to claim 18, wherein the sheet of material includes a firstend section, an intermediate section and a second end section, and priorto opening the pouch the first end section of the sheet material extendsover and corresponds in location to the intermediate portion of theabsorbent article, the intermediate section of the sheet materialextends over and corresponds in location to the second portion of theabsorbent article, and the second end section of the sheet materialextends over and corresponds in location to the first end portion of thenapkin.
 8. The method according to claim 19, wherein the second endsection of the sheet material extends over and overlaps the first endsection of the sheet material.
 9. The method according to claim 13,further comprising: providing a tab structured and arranged tofacilitate the opening of the pouch along the line of weakness.
 10. Themethod according to claim 20, further comprising: providing the pouchwith side seams defined by a plurality of embossments to thereby sealoverlapping portions of the sheet material.
 11. The method according toclaim 21, further comprising: grasping the tab and lifting the tabupward to open the pouch along the line of weakness.
 12. The methodaccording to claim 12, wherein the line of weakness of the sheetmaterial is substantially aligned with the first fold line.